Known for pioneering luxury expeditions to the world’s most remote destinations, Aqua Expeditions is proud to unveil its next frontier: Svalbard and The Arctic Circle. Beginning in June 2026, the icebreaker-superyacht Aqua Lares will embark on high-latitude voyages through some of the most pristine and awe-inspiring polar regions.
Following a season of exploration in East Africa – where she will sail through the biodiverse waters of the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll, and Zanzibar – Aqua Lares will journey north to the fjords of Norway. As an Ice Class 1B-rated superyacht purpose-built for navigating ice-covered waters, she will operate from June to September as the only superyacht in the Arctic Circle offering both private charters and individual cabin bookings for a maximum of 30 guests.
Svalbard and The Arctic Circle expeditions will range from 5 to 14 nights, focusing on remote routes through Svalbard, the Lofoten Islands, Tromsø, and beyond. These journeys promise dramatic glacial landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, and a profound sense of remoteness – delivered in Aqua’s signature style aboard a sleek polar vessel with the intimacy and service of a private yacht. Itinerary highlights include opportunities to spot polar bears, migratory whales, and Arctic foxes, alongside visits to historic whaling stations and expansive seabird nesting cliffs.
“With Aqua Lares, we’re setting a new benchmark for luxury exploration at the edges of the map. No other superyacht offers this combination of access, exclusivity, and personalised service in the Arctic. From Svalbard and the Arctic Circle to East Africa, Aqua is pioneering a truly global, deeply luxurious and personal way to explore,” says Francesco Galli Zugaro, Founder & CEO of Aqua Expeditions.
Aqua Lares delivers the hallmarks of an intimate expedition: deep immersion, thoughtful pacing, and personalised access to the polar wilderness. Engineered for expedition sailing and rated Ice Class 1B, she is equipped to reach remote corners of the Arctic beyond the scope of conventional routes. Her five-deck layout balances rugged capability with elevated comfort: 15 spacious cabins – including three Owner’s Suites – plus expansive lounges, dining spaces, and a wellness area with spa, sauna, and indoor-outdoor Jacuzzis. Guests will enjoy Aqua’s signature 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio, world-class cuisine, and twice-daily small-group excursions – whether by tender, on foot, or through a polar plunge.
Guests, travel advisors, and partner companies may now register their interest to be among the first to sail Aqua Lares’ inaugural Arctic season at www.aquaexpeditions.com/destinations/svalbard-arctic-cruise. Online and offline bookings, itineraries, rates, and departures dates to be announced on 15th October 2025.
